There are eggs? [Searchrider/Open]

[Zenniel]

((This takes place right after Sheluth's flight))

Zenniel had heard there were eggs, or going to be eggs. Eggs on the sands? The very first hatching, and Zen would take place in it! But first she would need to be searched. 'Nova Weyr,' she thought happily. 'I'll be going to Nova Weyr soon! And how everyone will marvel over my little Bronze fire-lizard! I heard they don't have fire-lizards yet.'

Zenniel paced around inside the great hall. She was done with her chores, which was early today, for some reason. Now she was pacing the great hall because there was nothing better to do. Then, quite suddenly, she realized that she could train Nomad. Nomad, who was sitting on her shoulder, chirped. He wanted to be trained, and subsequently be given treats!

"Alright, Nomad." Zen said, commanding Nomad off her shoulder. The Bronze fire-lizard did so and hovered in the air over her. "Nomad, I want you to go to the cove, retrieve for me the prettiest shell you can find, and come back."

Nomad, squeaking with excitement, disappeared between. Only a couple minutes later, the Bronze fire-lizard reappeared and dropped a shell into Zenniel's outstretched palm while at the same time catching a treat in mid-air. "Good job!" Zen cried, examining the opalescent shell. It was perfect. "Can you find another?" Again Nomad disappeared...

[katgod]

The green dragon circled the Main part of Star Hold on a joy ride. They weren't going on Search today. Amneris had plans to meet her lover at the beach later on, though there was plenty of time till then. Once on the shoreline, Amneris could land Labeth and sing and play guitar. It was perfect weather, as usual, here in Star Hold.

As she looked foreward to the beach, Labeth mentioned, Could we get closer to the Hold?Yes, you show off. She added with a giggle as the dragon continued to do somersaults in the air and other impractical air tricks. At one point she went fast straight at a building and pulled up only at the last moment. Labeth, while always better at Searching females, suprised her rider by saying she felt a strong Candidate may be in the main building. She had felt something when they were close.

Amneris consented to letting the dragon land and proceeded into the main building of the Hold. Labeth had not known where exactly this vibe was coming from but Amneris was looking for a girl. Labeth didn't search boys from that kind of distance unless they were very strong Candidates. She sighed, there goes singing on the beach! As she entered the great hall, Amneris looked around, noting almost immediately that something had just shimmered and dissappeared from the corner of her eye. Turning she saw a young woman, most likely in her teens and she watched a Bronze firelizard flit back from Between and give the girl something before he left again.

The tall blonde knew that female riders were a shock in the North but doubted that here in Star Hold anyone would doubt her capabilities as a female on a green. As if her leathers did not give her away, Neris approached the girl with a slight smile and warm blue eyes. "Excuse me, miss. Would you like to meet a green dragon by any chance? My Labeth is just outside and she has never seen a firelizard before. " Amneris had seen one a days ago but not one that was tamed. That was not the real reason she wanted the girl to meet Labeth but it was a great cover in case she wasn't the one.

[Zenniel]

Zen watched as Nomad disappeared, and waited. She knew that it took almost eighteen seconds - the time of three coughs - to get from one place to another. Then she knew it would take a couple moments for the little fire-lizard to get a stone that looked almost like the one she held in her hand now, and then it would take another few seconds - another three coughs, rather - to get back to her. But in that time, Zenniel was surprised. A woman came up to her.

Within the first two seconds that Zenniel saw the woman, she knew three things: the woman was beautiful, and she was a dragonrider. Not just any dragonrider, though, a Greenrider, and Greens were renowned for Searching. Zen gulped, and knew from the woman's unwavering path that she was, of course, heading straight for her. But Zenniel, for all her sudden shyness, did not move. Maybe she was locked in place, or maybe she had it in her mind that if she moved, she would not be searched.

"Excuse me, miss. Would you like to meet a green dragon by any chance? My Labeth is just outside and she has never seen a firelizard before." The woman asked, and Zenniel thought she was in a dream. Zen had seen many dragons before, yes, and had never been afraid of them, so to say (she'd traveled back in time on a dragon!), but now, with a dragonrider walking toward her, she was frightened. Meet a dragon? That was fine, she was great with anything that was not a human, but with the human present? Could she even stammer out a 'hello?'

Then Nomad reappeared, carrying with him a shell that looked almost exactly the same as the one before it. He circled around Zen a couple times, chirping his success, but saw, instead, the greenrider. Then, with another happy chirp, he circled around the other woman. He was surprised that someone was talking to Zen. Nomad was excited, quite the opposite of Zen, who was scared stiff. Then, seeing that Nomad liked the greenrider, Zenniel allowed herself to unstiffen. She was horrible.

"U-um, he-hello, gr-reenrider. I would l-love to meet your L-labeth!" Zenniel staid, trying desperately to not stutter. She blushed red, but hoped that the blush was not that bad. Nomad chirped, and disappeared. He had seen the green dragon, and was really wanting to see a green dragon up close. He zoomed around the green dragon, reporting to His that the dragon was huge, way bigger than the fire-lizards that he saw at the beach. Why couldn't he be that big? Zenniel laughed, and, because she was sure the greenrider was going to be worried (she'd been shy, then she'd laughed... she had to be crazy, right?), she motioned toward where Nomad had been before he disappeared. "Nomad wanted to be as big as your green. He likes her." Then the girl realized that she hadn't stuttered. Maybe Nomad had saved her.

[katgod]

Amneris waited, ever so patiently for the girl to respond. This took a little bit of time and when the girl did speak at long last, she was stuttering. Neris had to do her best to hold back a laugh. She had never thought of herself as an imposing figure but then the people of Star Hold had been without dragons for twelve turns and it must be a big deal to see a rider. Labeth wasn't at all concerned about the girl's speaking problems.

"Follow me then, she's just out in the courtyard. " The greenrider walked without watching to see if the girl was following. If she couldn't do something as simple as follow her to the dragon then the girl wouldn't make it at the Weyr. The younger woman seemed to be in awe of Labeth, and said very little at first. This gave her and Labeth ample time to discuss the girl between themselves.

Yes, she could make a good candidate.If you are sure, I will talk to her about it. Will we be in trouble for bringing her in when not on Search?Labeth wanted a good reputation and getting into trouble like they had as Weyrlings, would not help that. I doubt that. Even if she doesn't impress, she's attractive enough that no one will complain. Amneris compared all women to Jeyna and Jeyna in her eyes was perfect, therefore she was fairly picky about the women they searched. To be considered attractive by Neris was a good thing.

"Its hard to think of anyone not liking Labeth. She is a very amiable green. Your Bronze firelizard, Nomad was it? Nomad is intriguing to her." Amneris walked over to scratch Labeth's eye ridges. "Have you given any thought to coming to the Weyr?"

[Zenniel]

Zenniel followed meekly, but not too meekly not to be cowardly. She smiled when she saw the dragon. In contrast to many future candidates, dragons comforted the girl. Maybe something in her mind was messed up, or maybe it was because she was just afraid of talking to people. The girl stopped to take in the beauty of the dragon that stood before her. Then she smiled.

"Wow!" She exclaimed, taking in the wonderful green color. This green was huge, but Zen knew that the green dragons were the smallest dragons, so Zen might as well get over with the height problem.

While Nomad continued to flit overhead, Zenniel turned and gasped at the woman. "You-you-you mean you want me to be a candidate!?" That was, of course, the only reason why the green came here, wasn't it? And the green was eyeing her a little too intently. "Of course I would love to go to the Weyr! Do I get to ride on the wonderful green Labeth?" She couldn't contain her excitement. She would never have guessed!

[katgod]

Amneris took in the girl's excitement and smiled at her lovely green. Labeth liked the attention she was getting and was soaking it up like a feline in the sun. The dragon's eyes whirled blue, she was quite happy this girl wanted to come with them. She had chosen well.

You always do choose good young ladies for the Weyr, my lovely one. She will do nicely. Perhaps I should tell her the protocol before we just steal her away to Nova...Yes, do.

"Labeth says she thinks that now that Sheluth has flown it would be the perfect time for you to come to the Weyr and get acquainted with it. First though, you will need to pack and say farewell to your loved ones. You won't be able to come home for some time. Your parents and siblings may miss you. Labeth and I will wait here for you. Wear something warm because Between is rather cold."

Amneris waited for the girl to calm down. Hopefully she would do all of those things quickly and Neris wouldn't have to wait long. She didn't mind waiting usually but she was hoping to spend some time with her weyrmate before falling asleep tonight.

[Zenniel]

It took a moment to realize what the woman had said. It took an even longer moment to pry her eyes from Labeth’s. She wasn’t sure where Labeth was looking, since the dragon’s eyes were multi-faceted, and very disconcerting. But Zenniel found she couldn’t look away. She felt better when she was around a dragon and not just its rider. She glimpsed Nomad drifting lazily around the great Green’s head, and she laughed.

“Can you watch over Nomad for a bit? I’m sure he wouldn’t get in your way much.” Zenniel said, and then turned, and jogged away. She wasn’t about to leave a Greenrider waiting.

Norooth was at their little house-cave-thing. Zenniel smiled and waved to him. “What’s the hurry, hun?” Norooth asked. He was sitting on a chair and drinking klah. Zenniel grinned, “Dad, a nice Greenrider and her dragon searched me! She invited me to the Weyr! I’m going to be a candidate!”

The words came in a flash, and Norooth wondered exactly what she had said. When he finally figured it out, she had already rushed to her room and had opened her drawers. She was in the middle of pulling out her case and putting it on her bed when Norooth gathered her in his arms in a large bear hug. “That’s wonderful, dear! You go Impress a dragon for me, you hear?”

“I will!” Zenniel said, prying herself away from his hug. She hurriedly packed only the necessities in her pack – a couple shirts, trousers, even a nice dress (which wasn’t too nice for Weyr standards, but that was all she had). Then she threw in a couple pairs of shoes and her girl things. Of course the Weyr would have all of that stuff for her, but she wanted to be sure, and she wanted to keep some stuff to remember her father by. After a second of indecision, she picked up a silver neck-chain and donned it. On one end of the neck-chain was a ring, silver, that her mother had worn. It had been too big for her fingers at the time that she put it on the chain, but now she absentmindedly pulled it on and off.

“I’m done!” Zenniel cried, pulling her pack over her back. “Wish me good luck!” Zen stood on her tip-toes to kiss her father on the cheek.

“You’ll do fine, hun. Just remember that you’re not alone there. If you ever need anything, that Greenrider could help, and possibly any of the other candidates!” Norooth said, hugging her one last time. When she was walking out the door, he called, “And try not to be so shy! You’re doing great!”

Zenniel twinged, but continued onward. She knew the dragon was waiting, and she knew Nomad was with the dragon. Nomad was her friend – maybe her only friend, but a friend nonetheless. And he was going to the Weyr with her. She wondered how many other people had gotten the chance to Impress to a fire-lizard.

“I’m here!” Zenniel said, louder than Nomad’s shrieks as he circled around her happily. He was happy she was safe, but he was more interested it the dragon than keeping her safe. Zenniel swung down the pack – it was very light – and frowned slightly. “Did I keep you waiting?”

[katgod]

The dragon and rider watched the flit but since Neris knew very little about them, she hoped all was okay. "I wonder if they are supposed to be so...flighty... I guess is the word. Must find a better word later." He is a little odd, if you ask me. Not nearly as brilliant as I am. He is quite a bit smaller my dear.Not someone I can have a conversation with because of that. I don't think he'd want to converse with you either. You're a little bigger than anything he has likely come across before.

At least the girl seemed happy about all of this. Amneris was only doing her job but it was rewarding to know that women still wanted to come to the Weyr, rumor of a Gold egg or not. After all, greens were perfectly capable of impressing to women and so were some blues. Girls really ought to be more openminded.

Shaking the thoughts from her head she saw the girl returning. She was an exhuberant young woman, Amneris could give her that. "Not at all. So sorry but I don't believe I caught your name. I'm going to have you climb up to Labeth's back, where I'll strap you in good and tight. Your firelizard might get confused if we were to Between so perhaps it will be better if he remains with you on our trip to the Weyr and we will take the long way. Once there I will give you some instructions and then you'll be on your way to getting settled at the Weyr."

[Zenniel]

Zenniel smiled, "Oh, I forgot to give you my name. Greenrider and dragon, Labeth, my name is Zenniel." She smiled, and she felt shyness threaten to take over. No, she thought, not now. She was going to ride a dragon! She'd wanted to ride one ever since she came to the Hold all those Turns ago. She couldn't remember her previous flight on a dragon, but she knew that it was special. She knew that only special people rode on dragons.

She was special, she was going to be a candidate.

When Labeth's rider--she hadn't caught the woman's name--told her to keep Nomad close, Zenniel smiled. "Of course, ma'am. Nomad, here." Nomad, who had been circling around Labeth's head in a dizzying pattern, chirped once and floated gently down to Zenniel's shoulder. "Stay, Nomad." She said, and dug a piece of meat out of her meat-pouch. Nomad ate the meat and stayed.

"I-I'm sorry." Zenniel said, and noticed the stutter. Nervousness rose in her throat. "D-do you want me t-to hold my bag?" She wasn't nervous about riding a dragon, she was nervous about changing her way of life. She got nervous easily, but she swallowed her nerves and squared her shoulders.

Getting on the large green dragon was very easy. In fact, all she did was step on the proferred arm--and mumble a thanks to the dragon--and then settle herself down in the harness the rider used. She wasn't sure where the rider was going to sit, but she made sure to make herself plenty small. She didn't know how much Labeth could take. More than her, but Zen didn't want to overburden the wonderful dragon.

[katgod]

"Amneris." She supplemented after the girl introduced herself to them. Zenniel would make an interesting addition to the Weyr though she doubted the girl would have any trouble meeting the other Candidates since many of them did come from Star Hold as well. Despite the girl being nervous, Amneris was sure that flying wouldn't be as scary as it would be thrilling for her.

Instead of saying anything, Neris took the bag and strapped it in as easily as one could count to three. "There we are. I'm just going to strap in in front of you. If you need to hold on, don't hesistate to hold on to me. I've done this before." The green took off for the Weyr only moments later.

(sorry about the length...)

[Zenniel]

"Amneris." Zen repeated, smiling. She liked that name, but she didn't think it was half as nice as her name. Many people disliked their names. Zen, however, liked her name better, possibly the best out of everyone’s names. She smiled and pushed herself as far back on the dragon’s back as was humanly possible to, seeing as there was a riding saddle and whatnot. Nevertheless, Zenniel felt a rush of excitement undermining the fear she felt. She had felt this same fear nearly 10 Turns ago, when she had been sent back in time with her father. She had felt fear then, too, but really she had felt excitement.

Now she felt that same emotion. “Wow,” She said as the mighty dragon pumped her wings, propelling the trio into the air. “This is much more awesome than I remember it.” She grabbed onto the side of the woman riding in front of her with one hand, but spread the other outward, fingers outstretched. She reveled in the wind in her hair. “Is this really what you feel every time you fly?” She asked, shouting to get the words past the unrelenting wind.

Riding dragonback was awesome. Beneath her was the wondrous green dragon that had chosen her out of all the other people here today. Zen was really happy. ‘By the shells, I never thought I’d be flying on a dragon, and becoming a candidate!’